The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-09

climate the Southern farmer Is apt to neglect
wholesome precautions against severe wealth
er. In fact 1t Is shameful how little thought
or care is given on many farms to the comfort
of the dumb and helpless animals who toll for
us the year round, and are content with their
wages. rations and shelter Aside from moral
and humane considerations 1t is a question Of
dollars and cents that no farmer can afford to
ignore. There are many farmers who are gen.
erous to fault in feeding; they fill up the
feeti-tr3nghs and hay-rack S with corn and oats
ana iodder three times day. But the shelter
provided Is Otter Of the most primitive and
inadequate kind, and, shame to say, some.
times no better than the lee-Side OF a corn-crib
or lence-corner. It should be remembered
that the food ingested by horse, COW or other
animal serves two distinct purposes in the
animal economy: !. To keep up the heat Of
the body to the ,poit below which the vital
process cannot be carried on and life continue.
This temperature (9Sl@ degrees) must be MAIN
tanned constantly In the very coolest as we'll
us In mild weather. The natural means of
maintaining this animal heat Is by burning
portion OF the food as 1t passes through the
lungs in the form of blood The colder the
weather-other things being the same-the
greater Will be the proportion ofthe food that
Is taken into the stomach that must be used
as fuel, and OF course the proportion that can
be utilized for repairing waste tissues and
stored up as fat must be lessened. But If fresort
is had to mechanical means to keep out the
cod-to keep in the heat-a very great saving
of food Is accomplished, while at the same
time the animals are stronger for labor or
latter for the butcher. In our own domestic
arrangements we obey this principle withou
much attention TO the philosophy Of 1t. We
provide thick walls, tight windows and doors,
stopping the cracks with care. and warm beds
TO sleep on-thus saving the consum ptlon of q
much larger amount of fuel, and adding great.
ly TO the personal comfort and happiness and
preserving the health Of the members of our
family. Nails, lumber and boards are much
cheaper conservators Of animal warmth and
promoters Of thrift and fattening than extra
allowances Of iood. But why phlosophize on
this subject? Is there q farmer In all this
broad land who does not know that 1t Is more
profitable, more humane, more Christian.like,
10 make his livestock comfortable than to
compel them to stand shiverlng In the fence
corners, or at best In open sheds or pole-made
stables with cracks so large that Il dog might
easily jump through. II there Is, we trust that
he is not among the readers of the Culiudtor.
1t will be Remembered In this connection that
we have often stressed the Importance of get.
Ting the porkers into condition for the knife
before the cold weather has setin for the win
ter. Hogs should now be nearly or quite
ready to kill, and advantages should be taken
Of the first cold spell the latter part Of this
month to commence operations. Christmas
should find them all in the smoke-house and
the first killings OIL the sticks. The best and
cheapest bacon Is that made from hogs we'll
fattened and butchered in December or ear
lier.